Influence surface analysis and Vehicular

moving load analysis for Bridge Design

An influence surface represents a selective component of analysis results shown at the points of unit load
application in a plane surface of a rigid frame or slab bridge. The unit load is applied to all the locations
of possible loading on the bridge deck surface, which provides the basis for static analysis. Through an
influence surface algorithm, MIDAS/Civil thus performs analysis for the vehicular moving load in a rigid
frame or slab bridge where the effect of two-way distribution of moving loads is significant.

MIDAS/Civil adopts the following procedures for analyzing the influence surface and vehicular moving
load:

First, Model the structure.

Second, Define the ranges of traffic surface lane and influence surface in the structural model
considering the vehicle moving paths, number of design traffic lanes and traffic lane width.
A traffic surface lane represents a zone in which traffic vehicles actually travel and is defined in
accordance with various standard specifications. The Influence surface zone basically includes the traffic
surface lanes, and it can be additionally defined by the user. The traffic surface lane and influence surface
zones are defined by plate elements. The traffic surface lane comprises traffic surface lane elements and
the line of traffic lane nodes. The line of traffic lane nodes is entered by a series of consecutive node
numbers. And caution should be exercised defining the line of traffic lane nodes, as the order determines
the direction of traffic.

Third, Define the vehicle loads to be applied to the traffic lanes. The standard vehicle loads defined in
AASHTO or other standard databases can be used. Alternatively, user-defined wheel loads or traffic lane
loads can be also specified.
When a group of two or more concentrated axle loads are applied as a moving load condition and if their
loading values or axle spacings are different, bi-directional vehicle loadings must be applied, as the
directions of the moving loads affect the results.

Fourth, Enter the vehicle loads, traffic surface lanes and the loading conditions for the design
requirements.
MIDAS/Civil calculates the maximum/minimum design variables among all possible cases through a

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 Influence surface analysis and Vehicular moving load analysis for Bridge Design

permutation process considering the entered design conditions. In the case of concentrated axle loads, the
maximum/minimum design variables are calculated by multiplying the maximum/minimum influence
line values pertaining to the required variable by the concentrated axle load values. In the case of a
uniform traffic lane load, the maximum and minimum design variables are found by the following. First,
we identify the positive (+) and negative (-) zones of the influence surface within the traffic lane
pertaining to the required variable. Second, we integrate the influence surface values in the two separated
zones and multiply them by the uniform traffic load.

Fifth, Specify the plate elements that are connected to the supports. The information is used to
obtain the maximum negative moments due to traffic lane loads in a continuous span to satisfy the
requirements specified in various standards such as AASHTO. The loading condition for finding the
maximum negative moment at a support is that two adjacent spans on each side of the support in question
is loaded with the specified distributed load, and in addition, a concentrated load equivalent to the total
distributed load is placed on each span at the most unfavorable location.

Sixth, Combine the analysis results of the vehicle loading condition and other static or dynamic
loading conditions.

P, concentrated vehicle axle load

Influence line for

bending moment at A

maximum positive moment at A = P X Imax

maximum negative moment at A = P X Imin

a) Concept of calculating maximum/minimum design moments

subjected to a concentrated vehicle load (P)

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 Influence surface analysis and Vehicular moving load analysis for Bridge Design

Influence surface for

a design variable (moment)

V#: Volume of influence surface integrated over the zone #

W : Distributed lane load
Maximum positive design variable (moment) = W X V2
Maximum negative design variable (moment) = W X (V1 + V3)

b) Calculation of maximum/minimum design moments due to a distributed lane load (W)

<Figure 1> Calculation of maximum/minimum design variables (moments) due to
concentrated and distributed loads

The following examples illustrate the procedure for modeling a slab bridge and the analysis results using
the MIDAS/Civil program:

Modeling procedure

<Step 1> Generate the slab bridge using plate elements

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 Influence surface analysis and Vehicular moving load analysis for Bridge Design

<Step 2> Enter the support boundary conditions of the bridge

<Step 3> Enter the influence surface by assigning the traffic surface lane

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 Influence surface analysis and Vehicular moving load analysis for Bridge Design

<Step 4> Completed model of the slab bridge

<Step 5> Enter additional load conditions

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 Influence surface analysis and Vehicular moving load analysis for Bridge Design

Analysis results

<Step 1> Influence surface of the displacement at the center of the first span

<Step 2> Influence surface for moment (Mxx) at the center of the second span

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 Influence surface analysis and Vehicular moving load analysis for Bridge Design

<Step 3> Influence surface for shear (Vyy) at the center of the first span

<Step 4> Maximum displacement caused by the moving traffic load

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 Influence surface analysis and Vehicular moving load analysis for Bridge Design

<Step 5> Maximum moment (Myy) caused by the moving traffic load

<Step 6> Maximum shear (Vyy) caused by the moving traffic load